Friedrich Merz

German intelligence flags rise in AfD's right-wing extremist potential

The AfD rejects the accusations that its views are extremist and has said the intelligence service's assessments are politically motivated.

|ByREUTERS
Maximilian Krah, Alternative for Germany (AfD) party member and member of the European Parliament of the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, speaks during the European election assembly 2023 of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Magdeburg, Germany, July 29, 2023.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses delegates during a high-level meeting of heads of state on a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2025.

UN secretary-general, world leaders praise US, Iran for reaching peace agreement

European officials reaffirmed the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the "resumption of maritime traffic," to be done "urgently" and "unconditionally," without any toll restrictions.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERS
US Army soldiers carry a simulated casualty into a MEDEVAC vehicle during NATO's Sword 26 exercise, which tests new battlefield evacuation methods using drones and AI-assisted medical technology in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, May 11, 2026.

US weighing accelerated troop drawdown in Europe - report

Washington announced plans in May to pull 5,000 troops out of Germany, widely seen as the consequence of a rift over the Iran war between President Donald Trump and European powers.

|ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with Berlin's Chabad rabbi, Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, at Berlin's synagogue.

Germany's Merz visits Berlin's Chabad brass with officials in solidarity with rising antisemitism

The visit, which also included the President of the Bundestag (German parliament), Julia Klöckner, represents the highest meeting between German officials and the Jewish community in recent years.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Germany's Merz sees no reason to criticize Israeli, US attacks on Iran

"There is no reason for us to criticize what Israel started a week ago, nor is there any reason to criticize what America did last weekend," Merz said. NATO's Rutte defended the US's attack as well.

JUNE 23, 2025ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

Germany's Merz urges moderation in call with Netanyahu, source says

Germany plans to host nuclear talks with its European partners and the Iranian foreign minister at its permanent representation in Geneva.

JUNE 19, 2025ByREUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hosts then-German Leader of the Opposition, Friedrich Merz, (L) in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024.

Merz: 'Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us by striking Iran, lacks necessary weapons'

German Chancellor Merz has praised Israel for doing the 'dirty work' for everyone, but said that Israel also lacked the necessary weapons.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the German general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025.